Hawaii Chronicles April 4-7/2008

Friday April 4, 2008

Before I over think this into nothing I should just begin to put it down and out in writing. This time tomorrow I am on a plane to Hawaii and I was just thinking about editing on this trip but almost immediately after that thought was, screw it, just write instead.

A few years ago I went through an incredible writing purge resulting in volumes of stories, poetry, lyrics, observations, essays…the list goes on. So the burning itch on the back of my neck is to complete some serious editing, polish up the gems and share them, but the velvet twitch of my fingers catapults me into taking leaps of gymnastic dictation.

It’s midnight and all is still in the house of love. She lays in a hot bath dreaming of Maunalua Bay while he’s been out for hours and I write this dream of him sitting next to a mountain of pineapples with the silliest grin on his face. Soon we’ll all be on the beach together, everyday, listening to mother nature's voice and swimming in her love. Watching Ocean grow in front of our eyes in the Honolulu sunsets.

Sunday April 6, 2008

Aloha! We are in Hawaii! What a great flight we had too. Gentle Ben had a fun time on the plane and made friends with five-year-old Sophia sitting in front of us. They played peak-a-boo and some kind of bunny game initiated by Sophia that had Ben in stitches. My cheeks were hurting from laughing; it was so much fun to watch because she was just enamored and so engaged in play with Ben.

Once we were off the plane that familiar feeling of being welcomed by the heat and humidity reminded me of my first times flying with my family to Portugal and other hot spots. I always feel at home when I feel that type of climate and then my mind begins to dream and plot as if this was a place I was supposed to live. Our friends Theresa and Ian picked us up at the airport and we are now at their amazing home atop of the ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The house is spectacular and exactly the type of house that I would love to live in. Not your typical cookie-cutter box but multi-leveled with nooks and crannies to explore. Oh, did I mention the amazing deck with the hot tub or the indoor pool and waterfall? Oh yah, its on! The pool area reminds me of a private grotto that Hugh Hefner would have off his bedroom instead of the massive one that everyone parties in. Can you tell I’m in love here already and I haven’t even left the house!

Last night there was a nice tropical storm for us to fall asleep to and today is a rainy windy day but from every corner of the house you can see patches of blue sky awaiting their return to our sun starved skin. I’m out on the deck with palm trees swaying next to me as I look out on to the ocean. It’s only 10:00 a.m. and we’ve been up since six when the first sunrays hit our faces in bed. It’s just nice not having an agenda or schedule too and so a rainy day is par for the course to break us into the hang loose lifestyle on the island. I say a rainy day but in this warm climate it doesn’t even feel like a rainy day as the sun showers come and go. For instance right now the sun is hitting my face and I can barely see the screen through my squinting eyes.

The moment I woke up and saw the deck my heart just told me that I would be writing out here a lot on this trip. A red cardinal just flew up on to the deck railing and its’ colour is so vibrant. The sounds of birds mixed in with the swirling wind and the calming sounds of the waterfall below, man I love it here, right here right now! I feel like I could just keep writing and writing, describing the scenery and the energy but I haven’t even left this freaking house yet! Then all of a sudden without any warning we are surrounded by clouds and my ocean vista is gone.

It is mid afternoon and everyone is sleeping taking their afternoon nap after returning from lunch. Our first meal was at a Chinese restaurant called Lung Fung and although it sounds like something you don’t want to catch the food was superb. We took the long way home on the drive and had a chance to take in some of the amazing views around Oahu, like Sandy Beach Park where the surfers were hanging out on the smaller waves and the Halona Blowhole. The rest of the day was simply enjoying a whole day with the family without having to go to work or anywhere else. It was great to spend the whole day with Ben knowing we had another eight days to do the same. The day ended watching Ben taking his first steps all by himself, about four of them all on his own which he did a couple of times. The monumental moment was witnessed by us all and his new friends the three ‘lassie’ dogs they have here; Michelle, Suzie and Lady. Ben hasn’t shown any fear around the dogs as he non-chalantly grabs them by the snout and brushes them off when he’s done with them.

Our first evening was fully complete as our wonderful hosts Ian and Tessa treated us to a fabulous dinner. We started off with some Ahi tuna appetizers before moving on to scallop ceviche (I’m stealing that recipe) and some monster king crab. Heavenly.

Monday April 7, 2008

Well it is another early morning here in Hawaii as we were up around 6:00 a.m. again and it feels good. The sun shines through our window revealing a wonderful view of Maui in the distance. One of the dogs, Lady, had a bit of a rough night. We had brought a couple of things from Canada for our hosts, including a big bag full of licorice candy that Lady happened to eat all to herself somehow, not a pretty scene but I think she is feeling a bit better today. It was a lot of candy!

I’m finally shirtless and basking in the morning sun. So far today is looking like a sunnier day then yesterday although the week forecast shows no let up on the rain. I’m sitting back on the deck overlooking Kona Mountain while the soundtrack to this moment is the wind blowing through the palm trees, dogs barking in the neighbourhood and a couple other animals cooing that I have yet to identify. Oh, and the sun is still beaming brilliantly on my face. Today we will head out for a couple of local excursions as I plan to be back for 3:00 p.m. to watch the NCCA basketball finals with Memphis against Kansas (and no I didn’t pick either team to be in the final – what happened UCLA!).

This feeling of bliss as I soak up the sun is one that was sorely missed over the last year as last summer Ben had just been born and we didn’t make it to the beach much. This moment of temporary relaxation is one I will cherish and eat up as much as possible as I know it continues to diminish while raising a child. Everyone keeps telling us that our lives end now where Ben’s is just beginning. Although I understand that perfectly I know that we do our best to attempt a sense of equilibrium between us three so we don’t feel out of balance. So far it seems to be working and I think that is a result of Ben’s independent spirit and patience.